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Answer
Hymenaeus and Alexander were individuals in the early church in Ephesus who had “suffered shipwreck concerning the faith” and were consequently “delivered over to Satan” by the apostle Paul (1 Timothy 1:19-20). They serve as examples of those who reject true doctrine and embrace falsehood. Later, Hymenaeus is mentioned alongside Philetus, another false teacher “And their message will spread like gangrene; among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus;”, (2 Timothy 2:17). A critic of Paul named Alexander the metalworker is referenced in 2 Timothy 4:15–16, but it is uncertain whether this is the same Alexander mentioned in 1 Timothy 1:19.
Paul writes to his disciple, Timothy, with the specific aim of encouraging him to “fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a clear conscience” (1 Timothy 1:18-19) while overseeing a congregation. Paul commences his letter with a caution against false teachings and myths (verses 3–4) and an instruction to uphold “sound doctrine in line with the gospel” (verses 10–11). Subsequently, Paul cites the names of Hymenaeus and Alexander as illustrations of the consequences when one fails to engage in the battle for truth and maintain faith and a blameless conscience.
The passage mentioning Hymenaeus and Alexander reads: “Timothy, my child, I entrust this command to you, following the prophecies previously made about you, so that by recalling them, you may wage the good warfare, holding on to faith and a clear conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to the faith. Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be disciplined not to blaspheme” 1 Timothy 1:18-20.
Paul does not elaborate on the error of Hymenaeus and Alexander. Timothy evidently knew their identities and circumstances well. Second Timothy 2:18 provides a bit more information, stating that Hymenaeus and his new accomplice in sin, Philetus, “have swerved from the truth. They claim that the resurrection has already occurred, and they undermine the faith of some.” Paul compares their false teaching to gangrene that spreads decay and destroys life (verse 17).
The concept of the “shipwrecked” faith of Hymenaeus and Alexander in 1 Timothy 1:19 implies that they had deviated from the right path, straying from sound doctrine, and drifted into the perilous rocks of false teaching. They had ruined their faith. Paul clearly connects faith with a clear conscience (and the righteous conduct that accompanies it) in 1 Timothy 1:5 and 19. Interestingly, the term translated as “rejected” in verse 19 is a maritime term meaning “thrown overboard.” Hymenaeus and Alexander had cast away the clear conscience that results from correct belief—essentially, they embraced sin. The “ship” of their faith, lacking the necessary stability, spun out of control and crashed. Therefore, those who embrace false teachings and disregard their conscience will experience spiritual harm, akin to a ship hitting the rocks and breaking apart.
It appears that Hymenaeus and Alexander must have professed faith in Christ at some point, given that it was their “faith” that was shipwrecked. However, they chose not to heed their conscience. They walked according to the flesh rather than the Spirit (see Romans 8:5-9), professing the name of Christ while living like unbelievers. As commentator Albert Barnes remarked, “People become unbelievers because they desire to indulge in sin. No one can be licentious and still cherish the gospel that commands moral purity. If individuals would maintain a clear conscience, the path to a steadfast belief in thThe gospel would be easy. If people will not, they must expect sooner or later to be landed in infidelity” «holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: », (Notes on the Bible, commentary on 1 Timothy 1:19). Hymenaeus and Alexander did not lose their salvation; either they were pretenders exposed for what they were or they were straying believers disciplined by a loving God see Hebrews 12:6.
Paul says that he had delivered Hymenaeus and Alexander “to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme” «holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: », (1 Timothy 1:19). There is one other time when Paul had delivered a person to Satan: a man who professed to believe in Jesus but simultaneously living an immoral lifestyle was delivered “over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord” «to deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. », (1 Corinthians 5:5). Note that the reason Paul metes out such a harsh apostolic judgment is the benefit of all those involved. The church would be purified, and the erring individuals would be brought to repentance. The goal for the man in Corinth was that he would submit to God and be saved from spiritual ruin. The goal for Hymenaeus and Alexander was that they “be taught not to blaspheme” «of whom is Hymenæus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.», (1 Timothy 1:20).
Paul himself had been a blasphemer at one time «who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.” , (1 Timothy 1:13), but, praise God, he testified that “the grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus” (verse 14). Paul’s desire for the shipwrecked Hymenaeus and Alexander is that they would also learn not to blaspheme and come to know the grace and mercy of the Lord.
